And that one endowed with strength saw that row of structures fitted up
with golden windows, studded with lapis lazulis, and containing birds;
like unto a mass of clouds in a season of great rains, crowned with
lightning, and fraught with fowls. And he saw various structures close
to one another, to which excellent conchs, arms and bows lent lustre; as
well as huge and splendid towers belonging to edifices resembling
mountains. And the monkey beheld mansions, treasuring various kinds of
wealth, which were held in regard by both gods and Asuras,--devoid of
every defect; and which had been won (by Ravana) through his own
might.[257] And (Hanuman) saw the mansions of the lord of Lanka, located
in strict conformity with aesthetic laws,--appearing as if they had been
constructed by Maya himself,--which had on the earth beneath every
excellence. And then he saw the mansion of the lord of Rakshas himself,
surpassing the best structures; like unto a mass of towering clouds;
captivating; boasting of a beauteous golden appearance; worthy of his
own power,--and of incomparable loveliness; appearing as if the
celestial regions had dropped down on the earth; blazing in beauty;
teeming with countless gems; like unto the brow of a mountain strewn
with the blossoms and the dust thereof of various trees; and illumined
by the foremost females,--appearing like a mass of clouds containing
lightning, or the witching welkin furnished with grace, afloat with
excellent swans. And (Hanuman) saw the car variegated with countless
gems; like unto the top of a mountain variegated with innumerable
metals; or like the firmament garnished with the moon and the
planets,--or like clouds of diverse hues fused into a homogeneous whole.
The place in the car designed as the seat of the many, was filled with
rows of hills;[258] its hills were filled with trees; its trees were
filled with flowers; and (finally) its flowers were filled with leaves
and filaments. And (in it), where white mansions were reared, there were
tanks filled with fair flowers; and lotuses furnished with filaments;
and picturesque woods; and liquid lapses. And the mighty monkey beheld
there the great chariot going after the name of _Pushpa_, appearing
beautiful, wheeling round in the splendour of the gems--which had
surpassed even the cars pertaining to the abodes of the celestials. And
(in that car) were birds made of lapis iazulis; and (other) birds
composed of silver and coral; and variegated serpents made of various
precious metals; and fair-bodied steeds resembling those of superior
breeds; and there were constructed birds having graceful mouths; and
fair, tapering, playful and contracted plumage, bearing blossoms made of
coral and gold,--like unto the very plumage of Kama himself. And there
were elephants possessed of graceful trunks, bearing fillaments; and
with their trunks bearing lotus leaves,--engaged (in showering water on
Lakshmi); as well as the goddess, made with fair arms, seated on a pool
with a lotus in her hand. Thus entering that graceful mansion, like unto
a mountain containing charming caverns, (Hanuman) was seized with
wonderment. And once again (entering that charming mansion), like unto a
taking and fragrant tree during spring furnished with holes, Hanuman was
seized with wonderment. Then ranging by bounds that honored city ruled
by the arms of the Ten-faced one, he, not finding the highly regarded
and extremely distressed daughter of Janaka, who had won over her grief
by contemplating the virtues of her lord,--(was affected witb sorrow).
And, not seeing Janaka's daughter, then the heart of that high-souled
one, honored for his character by the world, of schooled self, ever
ranging by the way chiming in with morality, and having the scriptures
for his eye-sight--as he ranged about,--was oppressed with grief.
[257] _Swavalenarjitam_.--Another meaning is: _(mansions) into which
Hanuman found entry through his own might.--T._
[258] Composed of gold and gems.--T.